The Nuggets couldn’t get over some early-game struggles in a tough 101-96 loss against the Spurs in the opening game of the Western Conference First Round.
Gary Harris led the Nuggets with 20 points, while DeMar DeRozan paced the Spurs with 18 points.
The Pepsi Center was rocking as the postseason returned for the first time in six years, but the Nuggets failed to get into rhythm from the onset. While the team’s defense held the Spurs to 37.5 percent in the opening 12 minutes, it couldn’t convert on the other side of the floor. Denver shot just 29.